Zebrawood Flooring: Features & Benefits

Native to riverbanks in Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, and countries throughout West Africa, zebrawood flooring is a very rare, exotic flooring choice. It also goes by the names Zebrano, Zingana, Allene, Ele, and Amouk. The tree (Microberlinia Brazzavillensis) can grow to reach heights of 150 feet and trunk diameters of four to five feet. Zebrawood is most commonly used for decorative purposes, although flooring is another popular application.

Zebrawood is highly sought after for its distinctive striping, most noticeable in quartersawn varieties, that resembles the wood’s namesake. The background is a light golden yellow, overlaid with dark brown to black stripes. When exposed to sunlight, the yellow will darken to a more brown shade, while the stripes will become almost completely black. When finished, a potentially difficult process thanks to zebrawood’s interlocked grain, the wood gives off a natural luster.

Zebrawood flooring is moderately hard, coming in with a Janka hardness rating of 1575, approximately twenty five percent harder than the popular red oak flooring. It cuts easily and glues satisfactorily if you do it right. Where zebrawood becomes difficult to work with is in finishing. A belt sander is the only sure way to achieve a good machine finish and bring out zebrawood’s naturally pleasing luster. A dust mask is advised when working with zebrawood flooring, as the sawdust is known to cause adverse respiratory reactions.

Once installed, a zebrawood floor will perform satisfactorily. It is strong enough to resist termite attacks and wear from high traffic. Any blemishes your floor develops through scratching or other abuse can be remedied by sanding and refinishing the floor. Dirt is easily swept away thanks to the smooth surface, so keeping up zebrawood’s exotic, lustrous appearance will not be a hassle.

Zebrawood flooring will definitely give your home a unique look that guests will never forget. There is no denying that it will provide a memorable visual impact. If you want a floor that will bring the wild ambience of Africa into your home, then zebrawood flooring is the perfect choice for you.

By: Grayer Watson

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